Flexible coupling



All@ 28 1945- R. M. DlLwRTl-s 12,383,850

FLEXIBLE coUPLING Filed Nov 1o, 1942 face Patented Aug. 28, 1945 Richard M. Dilworth, Hinsdale, lll., assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a

corporation of Delaware Application November 10, 1942, Serial No. 465,103

(Cl. (i4-27) 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to resilient couplings for the transmission f energy between driving and driven means.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a resilient coupling incorporating' helical springs supported` between driving and driven members whereby the stress distribution in each portion of each helical spring is uniform, so that maximum cushioning capacity is obtained with minimum space requirements for the springs and the spring supporting elements comprising the coupling.

The means for accomplishing the above object is clearly explained in the following detail description taken in conjunction with the accom- -panying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is an end elevation of resilientcoupling, of a type suitable for-driving a locomotive driving wheel axle, having certain ofthe parts broken away to show details thereof to better advantage.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional View taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1. y

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3--3 of Figure 2 with parts broken away and,

Figure 4 is -an enlarged sectional view taken on line -Il of Figure 2 with parts broken away to show further details of the structure.

Referring to Figures l and 2 the flexible. coupling is shown mounted on a locomotive driving axle I by means of a collar 3 pressed thereon, which is provided with an outer peripheral flange portion 5. Hub or spider members 1 of annular form are pressed on the outer periphery of the collar 3 and are held in place by bolts 3 extending through aligned holes extendingl axially through the spiderV members. The inner diameter of the spiders being grooved to engage the flange portion 5 of the collar, as shown clearly in Figure 2. Each spider member is provided with an outer peripheral flange portion II adjacent the outer end face thereof, having an outer cylindrical surface I3 of greater diameter and an annular sur- I5, the annular surfaces I5 of the two flange portions being spaced axially apart. IAn outer coupling member Il or rim of annular form is loosely carried on the cylindrical surfaces I3 of the flange portions II of each spider, and an inner central flange portion I3 is provided on the outer member Il shown extending inwardly between the flange portions II of the spiders 1. This inner central flange portion I9 is provided with annular surfaces 2| and 23 parallel to the annular surfaces I5 of the spider flange portions II and rings of rectangular section are shown in engagement with the annular surfaces 2| and 23 of the flange portion I9 of the outer member I1 and are prevented from rotating with respect thereto by shear pins 21 pressed in axially aligned holes in the rings andilange portion I3. Torque and energy is transmitted from the annular surfaces of the rings adjacent the annular surfaces I5 of the flange portion II of spiders 'I by helical springs shown at 29 placed between these adt jacent surfaces which are provided with grooves 3| and 33, as best shown in Figures 3 and 4 forming a portion of a helix in which each half turn of the helical springs is carried so that each half turn carries equal stress and deflects an equal amount due to the torque transmitted through both of the springs to absorb and cushion variations in the torque transmitted. The springs 23 also absorb any variation in axial force' between the outer member I1 and spider members l..

rihe grooves 3I-33 in the spider and ring members 1 and 25 respectively may be conveniently cut by means of a helical hob and the elements comprising the flexible coupling may be assembled into a compact unit requiring little space. The holes shown extending axially through the outer member provide the means for attaching any type of driving or driven member thereto. The resilient coupling shown being adapted to be inserted in place of the axle gear of a locomotive which is driven by the drive pinion of an electric traction motor, not shown, which is suspended between the axle and truck bolster, in which case gear teeth are cut directly on the periphery of the outer member I1 for engagement by the pinion teeth. The coupling disclosed is capable of cushioning the sudden and large variations in torque and axial load encountered in this type of service and requires no more space than does the conventional axle faces thereof, the inner annular surfaces of said y flange portions of said hub members having grooves forming a complementary part of said helix, a pair of helical springs adapted to have portions of adjacent turns. thereof entered into the grooves of adjacent faces of the members ilxed to the rimmember and the grooves in the faces of the ange portions of the hub members,

and means for holding-the hub members to gether to keep said springs in engagement with said grooves of said members and anges whereby the coupling assembly absorbs torque and axial forces between the rim and hub members.

2. A liexible coupling comprising a rim member having an internal ilange, shear members supported by said rim member, rings supported on opposite sides of said 4ange by'said shear members, the outer radial faces of each of said ring members being provided with grooves forming part of a helix, helical Springs having portions of adjacent turns adapted to be entered in the grooves in each of said ring members, hub members adapted to be entered into the rim member, each hub member having an external ange provided with grooves in the inner radial face of said flange forming a complementary,

part of the helix for supporting adjacent turns of a helical spring, and means for securing said hub members in coaxial abutting relation within said rim member so that said helical springs resiliently absorb the torque and axial forces between said hub members land said rim member.

3. A ilexible coupling comprising a rim member having a central internal ange, shear pins supported in said flange, ring members secured on opposite sides of said llange by said shear pins, the outer radial face of each ring member having grooves forming part of a helix, a helical spring adapted to have portions of adjacent turns entered into the grooves in each of said ring members, a pair of .hub members, each of said ring member.

RICHARD M. DILWORTH; 

